President's Corner

I’m currently listening to Dare to Lead by Brené Brown. Although I always take away great nuggets from her work, one recently stood out and struck me as particularly brilliant, “Be clear, be kind. Be unclear, be unkind.” Although I had to process the statement to fully grasp the concept, once I did, I thought about the impact it would have in future conversations, personally and professionally.

I’m pretty sure we can recall a conversation with either a colleague or friend in which the more the person talked, the more confused we became. I’m a “get to the point” kind of person and don’t like camouflaged conversation. There’s nothing more frustrating than someone coming in to your office and beating around the bush and moving the conversation at a sloth-like pace. Completely irritating.

Confronting someone or being honest with someone when they’ve made a misstep or blown a big account is hard. But not confronting it head on and moving on is even harder. It’s unfair to the employer, employee or friend and it overfills your frustration cup making productive interaction more difficult. Being clear and concise is kind. Being unclear and confusing is unkind. If you’re not being clear, you’re not being honest with the person by giving them feedback they need to be better. Further, you’re not giving them an opportunity to improve, and that is unkind.

Being clear is truly kind, no matter the difficulty of the topic. No one likes confrontation of any kind, but if faced with it, being clear makes the next step apparent. Being unclear doesn’t allow for next steps, simply confusion and frustration.

It’s been said that the art of communication is the language of leadership. I think the art of CLEAR communication impacts language of leadership. Next time you meet with a friend or colleague over an issue that might be uncomfortable, do you choose to be clear and kind or unclear and unkind? The latter will not remove the debris that stands in the way of progress. I think that’s pretty clear.

This month, I celebrate 5 years at the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce, a 112-year-old organization. Some regard this chamber as an institution, while others view it as an “old” organization with fading relevance. I know this because shortly after taking the position, that was the feedback I received. So how do you reenergize and rethink an organization without losing its core and long-time Members? How do you take the fading relevance of an “institution” and infuse it with changes that generate value for the next generation of customers? It starts within.Our organization is made up of close to 1200 Members. Some have been Members for over 50 years! When I came in to this organization in 2014, I knew smart change would increase value to our Members and the community. Change would also shift the paradigm for those looking for an innovative business resource. Change is always a challenge, but there’s excitement in developing an organization that’s set to attract and retain the next generation of business leaders, while still providing meaningful value for long-time Members. Takeaways from our transition.

Don’t try to be something you’re not. This holds true for any business trying to change. For example, if you’re a Mom-n-Pop restaurant, don’t try to compete with a large chain. Utilize the strengths that come from a Mom-n-Pop, combine that with a unique quality product. In my case, I run a Membership organization created to be the voice and resource for businesses. That will not change. What will change however, is how the voice communicates. This voice has shifted due to technology as well as changing needs for new businesses. Therefore, we must make sure we’re not only an effective voice, but a voice that represents our diverse constituency. What businesses needed to be successful 100 years ago, 50 years ago, 25 years ago or even 5 years ago continues to shift. We must make sure we’re providing resources that are impactful while not losing who we are.

Attrition will happen. With change comes natural attrition. The saying, “You can’t please all of the people all of the time,” holds true whenever there’s a shift. Although I’m determined to do my best to listen to what our members need, it’s impossible to make everyone happy. We can’t be all things to all businesses, but we can be a valuable resource for most businesses.

Don’t lose sight of your beginnings. Businesses joined chambers 100 years ago because they needed resources and community connections to grow their business and their reputation. That has not changed. This chamber has had a hand in developing leaders over the years. Building leaders is part of building a great community. Don’t lose sight of why you started, as it will always be the core of why you exist.

Create a culture of listening. As CEO’s, we may think we know what our customers and employees want, but assuming is irrational. If you don’t deliver, your business won’t succeed, it’s that simple. You can only gain understanding through listening. With millions of other choices people have, if they feel under valued or taken for granted, they’ll move on. Now more than ever, we must be clear on what our customer and our team members want and do what we can to exceed their expectations. That can only be done with intentional listening.

Stay curious. When you stay curious about what your organization can do better and create an environment of “the sky is the limit” you have a business with unlimited potential. Developing a team that’s “curious” fosters enthusiasm and opportunity. At the chamber we seek out unique and risky ideas, some work some don’t. But what we all learn during the questioning and exploring phase is what will help to keep our organization relevant and our team engaged. Losing curiosity is losing the wonder of business.

I had a business for 25-years before starting this position. When I look back on how many times I had to update, recreate and make sure my business was relevant, it was probably four times. Staying curious, holding true to my core business while constantly listening and learning was key to my success then and it still holds true for success today. What are you doing to reenergize?“You should never cease from exploration, and at the end of all exploration, you arrive where you started and know the place for the very first time.” Satya Nadella- CEO Microsoft

For those of you that are Chicago Bears fans, this past Sunday was a heart breaker for sure. With little time left in the game, Cody Parkey hit the uprights and the Bears lost the game. My family was furious. They yelled at Cody, aka the television, begging the Bears to get rid of him as he was responsible for the loss. As passionate as they all were about the Bears winning, I can’t say I agreed.

It was a very close game and with my limited football knowledge, the Bears weren’t playing their best. It was a tight game the whole way, some poor passes, catches and yes, a bad call by a referee. Even one of the color commentators noted, “They’re making up the rules as they go.” Not what you want to hear when you’re losing. So, Corey misses the kick and all hell breaks loose, people are furious and blaming the kicker.

Sure, Corey Parkey missed, and yes, he’s a paid professional for which we expect more. But let’s be clear, even professionals miss. Quarterbacks throw interceptions, false starts cause a loss of much needed yardage and on and on, it happens. Truth be told, whether it’s personal or professional, failure happens. The outcome is the true test of a professional, how they handle it. Do they make excuses or own it? Do they commit themselves to training more, working on their skill more? It’s a learning opportunity plain and simple. Even for fans, stifle yourselves. Yes, yes, team loyalty gets the best of us, but Parkey was getting death threats, really? At the end of the day, you can tell a lot about someone’s character when they fail.Adam Russo, author of, Unwritten Rules: Real Strategies to Parent Your Child into a Successful Adult, believes strongly that failure is a healthy part of learning, regardless of how tough the failure. ‘When we fail, the best thing to do is hold ourselves accountable.’ Cody Parkey could have easily said he made three previous kicks in the game and couldn’t be expected to be perfect. He did the right thing by taking responsibility without excuses.

The most important part of failure is not to let it define you, but to learn what must be different moving forward. Russo adds, “No one is ever perfect, but we want to be perfect in the times that count. Michael Jordan missed game winning shots, Mariano Rivera blew Game 7 saves, and they are still considered among the best in their respective sports. The only way forward for Cody Parkey is not allowing his setback to define his future.”

Although failure sucks, it does instruct. We can learn so much through our failures. We can also learn a lot about others when we fail. In the words of past Bears coach, Mike Ditka, “You’re never a loser until you quit trying.”

I noticed after Parkey missed the kick and his head was hanging down, one of his teammates came up, picked him up, put his around him and likely gave him sage advice, “It happens. It’s tough but it happens to all of us.” Yes, we certainly expect more out of our professional athletes, but perfection doesn’t exist and failure is one of the greatest teachers.

It’s hard to believe that I will be finishing up my fifth year at the Chamber. As I look back on the past five years, there’s much to be proud of (I’ll cover that in January), but still much work to be done. Looking forward, there are wishes I have with the intent of providing great value for you and your businesses so you’re able to achieve your definition of success. So here is my wish list for this year.

I wish for each of you to continue reaching for your goals. Whether you’re a small business or working your way up the corporate ladder, or looking to secure that next investor, it’s hard, really hard. Never lose that passion and if you do, a personal /professional inventory check is in order. One of my biggest motivations to come to work every day is knowing that my team and I have an opportunity to assist each of you to move closer to your goals. We’re here, just ask!

I wish Chambers wouldn’t be viewed as simply a networking organization. It’s so much more than that. Quick, how would you describe the Chamber in 30 seconds or less to someone who is not familiar with our Chamber? Let me help, “The Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce is more than just a networking organization, we build relationships which builds trust and ultimately builds business. We’re a thinking organization and continue to find ways to add value to your journey as a business professional.” We just reached our goal of raising 250,000.00 so that we can update our technology to offer better services. We are YOUR business resource. Tell us what you need, and we’ll do our best to fulfill that need.

I wish every Member would remember their fellow Chamber Members when they shop, dine or seek a service. If you joined the Chamber to get business, (which I suspect most of you did), pass it on to other chamber Members who are also looking to grow their business. Imagine the impact we could have if we held tight to “Shop Chamber.” We could be a powerhouse of an organization.

I wish more Members would realize the value of engagement. I know time is in short supply, but just pick one thing to get involved in. If you don’t’ know where to start, ask someone on our team, we stand ready to assist. If you’re an introvert and hate the idea of walking in to a room of people you don’t know, check out our Networking 101 which will help. Reach out to Jessica Hall to learn more (jhall@naperville.net) There are many other opportunities and I’m happy to discuss them with you.

I wish more Members would share their great stories of success and challenge. There are literally hundreds of great stories that our Members have shared. The challenge of growth, the complication that can come with success. But the Chamber is YOUR resource to help you through those challenges and to guide your success. Remember, we’re all here for the same reason, to support our businesses and our community. Teamwork makes the dream work!

I wish more Members would realize the passion our team has for your success. Our team comes to work every single day committed to doing everything that will positively impact your business. We all know that every decision we make hinges on the fact that it will be in the best interest of you, our Members. We might not always get it right, but we work every day to do our best. YOU are the reason we come to work every day, YOU are the reason that we work so diligently to create better opportunities within the Chamber. We are grateful for your commitment to the Chamber, and the community. Our chamber is rich in blessings and we count you, our Members as the biggest one of all.

Who would have thought one of many great parts of my role as NACC CEO would include being inspired by Members? As I finish my fifth year here, I continue to be inspired by the brilliance, tenacity and passion of you, our Members. As I watch your businesses thrive, I continue to listen and learn from your successes and challenges. Here are just a few of the things I’ve learned:

Some view money differently. Some of our company’s CEOs see money as not only a way to grow their business, but their employees as well. They are committed to giving back to the community. Do you know that our Future Forward campaign is just $7,000 away from our $250,000 goal? This generosity has ALL been from our Chamber Members, businesses large and small. I’ve found that the most successful businesses are dedicated to giving back to the community and making sure there are plenty of development opportunities for employees to grow and learn.

Staying humble. Over and over, some of the most successful Members we have are some of the humblest people I know. These business professionals are so focused on doing their job well and making sure they take others along with them to share in the success. They never back away from acknowledging others that had a hand in their success. They continue to find opportunities to learn, grow, and seek advice. The beauty is that instead of focusing on all that they’ve done, they’re far more interested in focusing on all that’s left to do!

Rethink work/life balance. The ever-elusive work/life balance. I learned many years ago that trying to find the balance is an exercise in futility. But one of our Members put it succinctly, AdreAnne Tesene of Two Bostons shared, ”Work/life balance doesn’t exist, it’s more about work/life integration.” I couldn’t agree more. The truth is, if you own your business, or love what you do, your business is your life and your life becomes your business. There really is no separation, it all comes together at some point. Therefore, it’s best to learn how to integrate vs. trying to segregate.

​Chamber engagement. With all this wisdom comes the understanding of being engaged with the Chamber. Taking advantage of the great people that are part of this organization. Successful Members understand that no matter what technology replaces human interaction, there will never be anything to replace face-to-face relationships. Relationships are built off trust, and it’s hard to build a relationship virtually. Sitting down with other businesses, sharing stories and learning about their challenges and successes builds that trust. With that trust comes business. Relationships are business builders.

It’s no wonder that you all continue to find success. As much as common sense tells us the more money we make, the more successful we’ll be, it isn’t the only driver. You are more focused on the success of others, contributing to a great community and staying focused on the overall impact, both internally and externally, of your business. I look forward to 2019 and learning more from all of you. Like the line in As Good as It Gets, by Jack Nicholson, “You make me want to be a better man.” You all make me want to be a better leader not only for your success, but for the success of our entire community.

Please note: The Current e-newsletter and Chamber Minute will return in February. In the meantime, you can still keep up with my biweekly column when we share via social media. Be sure to follow the NACC on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Full disclosure, up until 5 years ago, I paid little attention to politics. This is not something I would normally brag about, but it helps for context. When voting, I typically relied on others for information. I went to the polls with my list, filled in the ovals of those that I was told to vote for and walked away knowing that I followed through with my civic responsibility, or did I?

As much as I thought I was being civically responsible, the truth was I wasn’t paying attention to outcome (policy), I was paying attention to politics. One of the most important aspects of my role here at the Chamber, is understanding policy and its impact on business. I have come to learn that there’s nothing more important than both sides of the aisle coming together to focus on issues that impact business because as we all know, if business isn’t thriving, neither are our schools, communities and other amenities that make where we live so great.

Over the past few years, I have paid close attention to what policy means to our businesses. If policy is focused on growing business, we then have a growing economy, i.e. strong business = strong community. This mid-term election candidates ran on their respective political platforms, (the what), these platforms then outline their policy options (the how) for their respective areas of influence. Therefore, paying attention to not only platform but policy is vastly important. Previously, I had not done that. As a Chamber, I/we can’t afford NOT to pay attention to that.

This election I was pleased to see the number of people who took advantage of the privilege of voting. The turnout was (unofficial when I researched) about 55.6%. The highest turnout in 32 years! Millennials were focused on getting their vote out to make sure their voice is heard. I couldn’t help thinking about my previous voting mindset, it was about politics (who they are) not policy, (what they will implement). What was the mindset of the midterm voters? Will the outcome of policy from our new legislators give voters what they wanted? That is to be determined. But thinking about it is important.

Republican, Democrat, doesn’t matter, but here’s what does, realizing the impact of thinking politics vs. policy. We all want what is best for our state and our community. We want what is best for our children, grandchildren and beyond. If we only pay attention to politics (hello political ads) we may lose sight of what happens after the election celebrations. Congratulations to all the candidates on their victory. There is a lot of work to be done, and red or blue, black or white, male or female, policy will ultimately determine the success or failure of our state. We’ll all be watching.

Congratulations on your win. However, your work is just beginning. You and I both know there is much on your plate, and I’m not sure how long it will take to get our state back in order. I’m hopeful it will be during my lifetime.

Very recently, I have started an initiative within our Chamber of Commerce here in Naperville. The initiative, Around the Chamber in 80-days allows me to visit with our Members, small, medium and large businesses to learn what challenges they’re facing and how our organization might help them. As soon as I began asking my questions, the proverbial flood gates open.

First, future Governor, let's discuss our workforce. Business owners are desperate for talent in this tight labor market, but the challenge to hire and grow is greater here in Illinois. One of our Members stated, “Three years ago I had a robust workforce, today that workforce is cut in half because they’re moving to more lucrative positions in other states where the cost of living is more affordable.” We need to find a way to bring talent back to our state because it’s a desirable, affordable place to live.

Second, our Members are struggling to get new business because there are fewer businesses to work with, and the pot continues to shrink. Again, nationally we see the GDP at an all-time high, but Illinois isn’t feeling it. Another one of our Members shared “We have expanded our business to Indiana, Texas and Michigan and business there is booming. Here in Illinois; it’s flat.” How do you propose to make this state a destination for business? How will you create a pro-business environment that doesn’t tie the hands of business owners and their dreams of prosperity? If businesses aren’t coming here, neither are the people.

Next, we need to talk about fiscal rejuvenation. Illinois has the second-worst fiscal health among U.S. states. Based on the states’ 2015 financial statements, all in, state and local governments in Illinois owe more than 203 billion dollars for pensions and retiree health insurances. If not remedied, bankruptcy is inevitable. I’m hopeful you can create a strong bipartisan group of legislators that will make positive change sooner rather than later.

Personally, I love Illinois. I think it’s a great state with great potential. However, with years of mismanagement and partisan politics you may have forgotten about the value small businesses bring to our state. You and I both know that small business is the backbone of this country. With nearly *30 million small businesses employing 47.8 percent of US workers, their impact can be seen through job creation, innovation and economic impact. Something this state desperately needs. We must attract these businesses. Illinois has great potential, and I hope you believe the same.

Future Governor, if you believe in the potential of this state, I ask that you cast aside politics and truly connect with legislators from both sides of the aisle, talk about the needs of your constituents and what needs to done to be competitive again. I plan on sticking it out, as for my children and grandchildren, your leadership will likely dictate their decision, and my hope is they’ll stay.

I’m one of those people that loves change. I get bored quickly so when change is consistent, I’m at my best. A couple of weeks ago, I had the privilege of speaking at the Naperville Public Library Staff Conference. The topic was change, so I was in my element. Little did I know, that I would be challenged to see how much I truly welcome change.

When the representatives from the Naperville Library asked if I’d be interested in closing out their staff conference I was quick to say, “Yes.” I used to do hundreds of presentations all over the country and I must admit, I miss it. So, I jumped in. Some of my take-aways included:

Change matters because it affects relevance.

It’s important to remember that life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. We can either adapt, ignore and slowly fade from reality.

Sometimes being uncomfortable allows us to explore areas we might not otherwise explore. If you’re not crazy about change, understand it might take you where you need to go.

One of my favorite quotes about change comes from Viktor Frankl, “When we are no longer able to change a situation we are challenged to change ourselves.” This quote certainly came to life for me when giving my presentation.

As I was preparing to deliver my keynote, it was clear there was a technology glitch which caused my whole deck to be viewed prior to me even starting the presentation. It was beyond the control of the staff and honestly, I sat there panicked as I saw the “surprise” slides reveal themselves. My heart began to race, and I thought, “This is not going to be good.” My nerves got the best of me, and when we finally figured out what was wrong, my composure was shot. I was then challenged to change myself and my attitude. Full disclosure, I didn’t. I pieced through my presentation and walked away feeling completely defeated. Rather than understanding my inability to change the situation, I focused on my inability to change my presentation. #fail

I wrote the staff Members that I felt I had let down. They wrote back to me with words of praise sharing that it was a “great presentation.” What? No, I blew it. Then I received a lovely email from one of the attendees sharing how much she gleaned from my presentation. I was blown away. Perhaps I did adapt, perhaps I was able to change what I thought I didn’t have control over. Wow. Lesson learned, as much as I think I am a go with the flow kind of gal, that day I was challenged. I thought I had everything laid out just as I had planned, only to realize things don’t always go as planned. We must be adaptable, and we must realize that even though it’s not our best, we can always try our best.

There is one thing I know about change, and that is that it leads to opportunity and experience. This was certainly an experience and an opportunity to discover that sometimes I need to ease back on my expectations, and simply be present in the best way I can. I changed that day and it was good, not comfortable, but good.

Last week I had the great opportunity to sit on a panel about leadership for our Young Professional Network. In addition to me, there was Councilwoman and Attorney, Rebecca Obarski and Little Friends President, Mike Briggs. We all had a different take on leadership, however when all was said and done, we all agreed that being a leader is earned, not given. The following is something I shared with the group about lessons I’ve learned regarding leadership. I hope you find it valuable.

What I’ve learned about leadership:

Leadership isn’t being a boss, it’s being a student.

Leadership isn’t about telling people what to do, it’s about listening to what they can do.

Leadership isn’t about showing what you’ve got, it’s hiring what you need.

Leadership isn’t about making the right decisions, it’s also making the hard decisions.

Leadership isn’t blaming when something doesn’t go right, it’s about acknowledging those that contribute to making something right and owning when it doesn’t.

Leadership isn’t about building yourself, it’s about building others which ultimately builds oneself. You get what you give.

Leadership isn’t about doing great things, it’s inspiring others to do great things.

Leadership isn’t just about courage, it’s about encouraging.

Leadership isn’t just about vision, but getting others to see it, believe it and working to achieve it.

Leadership isn’t just about passion, it’s being passionate about the people you work with.

Leadership isn’t just about getting through the storm, it’s about handling it with calm.

I don’t know about you, but summer is always an interesting time for us at the Chamber. Our fiscal year ends June 30th so much of the spring we’re focused on getting our budget situated for the coming year. The great part about it is that we’re able to all come together and talk about what we need to do to set up our Members for success! From there, we start setting our goals. When those goals are set, we then have a clear purpose and understanding on how we can help one another. Goals are nothing without action, so I thought I might provide some ideas on staying the course, so you can finish the year strong!

Visualize the outcome of your efforts. There’s nothing more valuable than looking in to the future to realize the potential fruits of your labor. If you can see what your desired outcome is, then you can develop a step-by-step strategy on how to get there. Biggest mistake I see people make is setting a goal and “winging” it. You must have a play-by-play, so you'll know what you must do so your outcome can successfully be attained.

Surround yourself with a solid team. Wise leaders know they didn’t get where they are alone, it takes a great support system. It should be true for your team and your dream. You all must work together to realize the vision of the organization. If you don’t have a clear vision or a team that works closely together for the good of the organization, the outcome is high turnover and low productivity. Inspire your team and they will inspire the dream.

Recognize “slack time” – When you’re working at full speed, do you sometimes hit a wall? If so, do you then find yourself putting things off? I find that when I’m the most overwhelmed is when procrastination sets in. Therefore, I have my “Immediate Five” (IM) list which I write out each morning in case of a stall. The IM list is a gentle reminder of what my priorities of the day are. In other words, if I’m trying to do 20 things at once, my IM list gets me back on track and focused. I’m no loner trying to do many things at once, rather I’m able to focus on my priorities.

Raise the Bar- I don’t know about you, but I love a good challenge. When I find myself bored or frustrated, I realize that the goal or task I’ve set for myself isn’t challenging enough for me. For certain personalities, pressing towards greater challenges is fuel for solid performance. Mundane tasks, can become repetitive and ultimately boring. If there are things that must be done, figure out a way to make them more interesting. For example, writing my bi-monthly Current columns can be time intensive. Therefore, when I’m preparing to write it, I give myself 20 minutes to go online and read the hot business topics of the week or month, etc. I’m then inspired with several ideas and writing the column becomes interesting vs. something I just check off my to-do list.

Hopefully these nuggets provide you with some strategies to stay the course end your year strong!